Adichanallur

Adichanallur is an archaeological site near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, India. The town is known locally as "Adityanallur", and has been the site of a number of very important archeological digs.

Archaeological excavations

In 2004, a number of skeletons dating from around 3,800 years ago [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1354201,prtpage-1.cms Skeletons dating back 3,800 years throw light on evolution] . The Times of India.] were found buried in earthenware urns. More than 160 urns have been found. These urns also contained writing, which according to some ASI archaeologists, is "very rudimentary" Tamil Brahmi. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021704471300.htm 'Rudimentary Tamil-Brahmi script' unearthed at Adichanallur] ]

Later a three-tier burial system was discovered in which earlier generations were buried in urns at 10 ft depth and recent ones above them. Soon the habitational site of the people who were buried was also discovered.

Analyzing the habitational site, it was understood that people lived in a fortified town and it had a separate potters quarters. There was also evidence of industrial activity and archaeologists think that it was a crowded busy town. Sherds were also found with writings in Tamil-Brahmi scripts.

References

External links

* [http://asi.nic.in/asi_exec_adichchanallur.asp Archialogical Survey of India's Page on Adichanallur excavations]
* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021704471300.htm Rudimentary Tamil-Brahmi script unearthed at Adichanallur] - "The Hindu", Feb 17, 2005
* [http://www.hindu.com/2005/04/03/stories/2005040301931400.htm Iron Age habitational site found at Adichanallur] - "The Hindu", Apr 03, 2005
* [http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/25/stories/2007052502532200.htm Some pottery parallels - Spread of material culture from south to Deccan?] - "The Hindu", May 25, 2007